Portable electric light.



B. B'ENEDICT.

PORTABLE -ELECIRIC LIGHI.

APPLICATION FILED .'ULY19'1917.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.v

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BERNARD BENEDICT, OFNEW YORK. N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

:PORTABLE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

Application led July 19, 1917. Serial No. 181,509.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BERNARD BENEDICT, a citizen of the United States, residing at N ew York city, in the countyof Bronx and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Electric Lights, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof. i

My invention relates to self-contained or battery-operated portable electric lights and relates more particularly to those having flat casings andin which the lamp is exposed at the side of the casing forming the front of the device. Objects of my invention are to provide a light ot this kind which is simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, durable, dependable, which is adapted to a wide range of uses and which is more particularly adapted to the needs of soldiers, and also equally suitable for use by everyone, under varying conditions and circumstances. Other and more particular objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafter appear.

My invention includes novel circuit-completing and circuit-controlling means, and also includes such means in combination with other features, and further includes features of construction and combinations of parts, as will appear from the following description.

I shall now describe the portable electric light illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodying my invention and shall thereafter point out my invention in claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the complete portable electric light.

Fig. Q is an elevation of the same as viewed from the let't in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section on a vertical plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 as viewed from the left, with the batterv and lamp appearing in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation as viewed from the left in Figs. 2 and 3, but with the hinged casing door open.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the complete device as viewed from above in F ig. 1.

F ig. 6 is an enlarged partial longitudinal section on a vertical plane indicated by the line 6.-6 of Figs. 2 and 3 as viewed from the left, and shows the upper part of the device from the rear.

Fig. 7 is a similar view on a plane indicated by the line 7 7, showing the lower part of the device from the rear.

Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged partial longitudinal section on a vertical plane indicated by the line 8--8 of Figs. 2 and 3 asviewed from the right and of Fig. 5 as viewed from below. i

Fig. y9 is a similar transverse section on a horizontal plane indicated by the line 9-9 of Fig. 6 as viewed from above.

Fig. 10 is an elevation, as viewed from the right inwardly of the casing in Fig. 3, of a spring circuit-completing bridge which `is carried by the upper part of the hinged door at the inside ot the casing and which appears -in transverse horizontal section in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a `partial elevation as viewed from the right, of what'appears in the lower part of Fig. 4.

The portable electric light embodying my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, has a flat substantially rectangular elongated sheet metal battery-containing and lamp-supporting casing box 1, shown as rounded laterally at the front, and as having its other corners slightly rounded, and as provided at the back with a flat sheet metal closure or door 2 which is hinged at the bottom on pivots 3 to open angularly rearward and downward, and which at the top is provided with a projecting spring tongue forming a latch 4 which isengageable with a catch 5 shown as formed at the top" and rear of the casing part 1 by indenting outward the sheet metal thereof, as clearly appears in the drawings. The casing 1 is shown as provided with outwardlyindented stifi'ening ribs G and 7, at the front and at the edges or margins thereof, respectively.

`A. metallic outwardly concave reflector 8 is xedly carried by the casing 1 and is firmly secured in an opening provided in the upper margin of the front flat side of the casing 1. and extends inwardly of the easing,

where it is centrally provided with a usual form of metallic screw-threaded lamp socket 9, which is shown as formed in one piece with the refiector 8. The relector 8 has an outer annularr Qrzcircula'r` screw-threaded.

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part 10 which projects forward 'from and at the outside of the front of the casing 1. and is shown as provided with a slight inturned flange upon which rests the marginal edge ot a lens 11, which is held in place by a usual form of annular screw-threaded band or ring 12, which is screwed over the outer projecting screw-threaded end part 10 ot the re- Hector, and Vat its outer edge or margin is provided with a slight inturned flange for engaging the margin of the lens 11, as appears in the drawings, particularly in Fig. 3. A usual miniature incandescent lamp has its usual screw-threaded metallic base 13 screwed into and in electrical connection with the metallic lamp socket 9 and has its bulb 14 exposed at the trout ot the rei-lector 8 toward the outside of the atside of the casing` 1, and has its central terminal 15 ex'- posed at the inside of the casing 1 in proximity and in spaced relation to the inner surface ot the hinged door 2, as most clearly appears in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The sheet metal casing, comprising the main box-like casing part 1 having` at the back the hinged door 2, is adapted to contain a usual flat form ci dry battery 1G, below the reflector 8, the battery 16 having a usual short substantially upright spring contact terminal 17 and also having a usual longer spring contact terminal 18, which in this particular battery 16 is also shown as extending or projecting` substantially upward. By reason of the transverse position of the lamp its central terminal 15 is not so located as to be engaged by the longer springbattery terminal 18, as will appear from the drawings, particularly Finis. 3 and 1l, and circuit-completing means involving my invention are provided for completing the electrical connection between the longer battery terminal 18 and the central terminal 15 of the lamp, and such means will now be described.

A circuit-completing metal plate, having a horizontally arranged body part 19, is supported by and insulated from the upper horizontal top wall of the box-like casing part 1 at the inside thereof. Two layers of insulation, comprising a comparatively heavy and strong lower or inner insulating plate 20 and an upper insulating plate 21, are interposed between the upper surface of the conductive plate 19 and the inner surta ce of the top wall of the metallic casing 1. The metallic circuitcompleting plate 19 is firmly secured to the lower or inner thick and strong insulating plate 20 by metal-lic rivets 2Q, shown as two in number and of the tubular or eyelet form. and which are insulated` from the top wall of the metallic casing box 1 bythe interposed upper insulating plater 21'. The two sunerposed insulating plates `2O and 21 are rmly secured to the inner surface of the :top of the metallic.v casing 1 by means of a pair of strong tubular rivets or eyelets Q3 adjacent to the ends ot these insulating plates, so that the circuit-completing plate 19 is supported by and insulated from the horizontal top ot the metallic casing box 1 at the inside thereof, as appears in the drawings, particularly 'in Fig. 8.

The ciicuitco1npleting plate 19 is shown as provided with a contact-makingl end part 211, which is reversely bent in U-shape from the left end of the strip or plate 19 as viewed from the rear ot' the casing and as appears in Fig. l of the drawings, this end part 24 being` in a position to be firmly engaged by the upper end of the longer spring terminal 18 ot' the battery under suitable circuitmaking spring tension of the terminal 1S, which is sprung or bent. laterally and downward as appears in the drawings, particularly in Fig. 4. The projecting contact springs or terminals of batteries such as the battery 16 are not always ot exactly or precisely the same length, and it is to be noted that the contact-making end part Q1 oi the ciinuit-completing plate 19 provides for the accommodation of a spring battery terminal of a ditterent length, and particularly of somewhat shorter length, than the longer terminal 18 illustrated in the drawings. At its other end and at a point substantially in line with and above the central terminal 15 ot the lamp, the circuit completing plate or Strip 19 is provided with a downwardly turned lateral extension or projection 25, which extends substantially parallel with and in proximity to, but is substantially spaced from, the inner surface of the flat wall ot' the substantially flat metallic door Q, as is clearly shown in the drawings in Figs. 3 and 4, It will now be understood that the circuit-completing plate 19 havingr the projecting contact-making ends 2st and Q5, forms an electrically conductive extension from the longer battery terminal 18. this circuitcompleting plate being supported by and insulated from the top of the casing box 1.

F or bridging the gap and completing the electrical connection from the downwardly turned projection 25 oi the circuit-completing member 19 to the inwardly exposed central terminal 15 of the lamp, a circuitcompleting bridge is provided and is shown as carried by and insulated from the upper part of the hinged door 2 at the inside thereof and is shown as comprising a short vertically extending spring metal strip 26, this resilient bridge piece 26 being com1 arativcly thin and flexible. The thin resilient bridge strip 26 is firmly secured at an intermediate,

point thereof, shown as slightly above its i middle, by means of a tubular metallic rivet 27. to a small transversely extending insulating plate 2S, shown as of a width which is the same as the length ot' the resilient bridge; piece 2.6 and as, projecting laterallyV at the edges of this bridge piece, as appears in the drawings in Figs. 3, 9 and l0. A second small insulating plate 29, similar to and shown as coextensive with the insulating plate 23,.is interposed between the latter and the adjacent inner face of the metallic door 2 and serves to insulate the bridge-securing eyelet 27 from this metallic door. At their laterally projecting ends the superposed insulating plates 28 and 29 are iirmly secured to the tlat inner side of the door 2 by means of tubular metallic rivets or eyelets 30 which pass through both `of the insulating plates 23 and 29, and through the metallic door 2, as is shown most clearly in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The free projecting upper and lower end parts ot' the thin resilient bridge 26 are offset in spaced relation to the adjacent insulating plate 28, by which this bridge member is supported, and these ends are exposed in position to come in contact, respectively, with the downwardly projecting part 25 of the circuitcompleting 4member or plate 19 and; with the central terminal 15 of the lamp, when the door 2 which carries the bridge 26 is in the closed position, as clearlyappears in Fig. 3 ot' the drawings. Y

A manually operable circuit-controlling .3 device embodying features of my invention is provided for electrically connecting the shorter upright battery terminal 17 with the metallic casing box 1 for thereby completing the circuit of the battery 16 through the lamp, and this circuit-controlling device will now be described.

A comparatively flexible and resilient metallic circuit-controlling strip 31, 'forming an automatically-returning circuit-controlling lever, is shown as secured at its upper horizontally extending end to the inner insulating plate 2O by means of a tubular metallic rivet or eyelet 32 which extends only thrmighy the metallic strip 31 and through the insulating supporting plate 2O and` is insulated from the metallic top of the casing box 1 by the upper interposed insulating plate 21, so that this circuit-controlling spring metal strip 31 is supported by and insulated from the top of the metallic casing box 1. The circuit-completing or contact-making strip 31 is bent downward on a curve at the right of its securing rivet y32, as viewed from the open back of the casing 1 in Fig. 4;, and also as seen 1n Fig. 8,

and projects downward at a slight inclination or at a slightly obtuse angle to the insulating plate 20. At its lower end the flexible-resilient circuit-controlling lever-forming strip 31 overlaps upon and at the outer side oir'. but in spaced relation to, the short upwardly and slightly inwardlyprojecting battery terminal 17, as is lclearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

= A manually operable device movably supported by the casing is provided and is adapted when operated to engage and press upon the resilient lever-forming contact strip or contact spring 31 at an intermediate point thereof, for thereby shitting its free lower end into circuit-completing contact with the shorter upright battery terminal 17, and this manually operable device is shown as a circuit-controller of substantially usual form. This manually operable circuit-controller also serves at the same time or concurrently electrically to connect the flexible contact spring 31 with the metallic battery-containing casing box 1, whereby the circuit of the lamp through the battery will be completed. A metallic spring contact strip 33 is shown as secured at its lower end, by means of a small rivet 34, to the inside of the margin of the battery-containing casing box 1, and at its upper free end 35 this spring strip 33 is turned inward and slightly downward toward but normally out of contact with or having its end spaced from the downwardly projecting contactmaking spring lever 31, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and ormsvan automatically-returning circuit-controlling member. ,lt is tobe noted in this connection that the tree inwardly projecting upper end 35 of the contact strip 33 is in proximity to but spaced from the downwardly projecting spring lever 31 at an intermediate point thereof, which is shown as at a location somewhat above the middle of the downwardly inclined part of the spring lever 31, this point being nearer to the insulating plate 20, to which the contact-spring 31 is secured, than it is to the lower tree movable end of this spring'lever 31, as clearly appears in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

JAdjacent to its inturned upper end 35 the i contact-strip 33 is provided at the outer side Vthereof with a push button 36 which projects through an opening in the casing box Il tothe outside thereof for manual actuation, in usual way. Also the spring-contact strip 33 is adapted to be actuated by a usual slide 37 which is guided in a usual way on the casing box 1 and which is adapted `to ride over and push in the projecting rounded outer end of the push button 36 in a usual way, for thereby obtaining a prolonged or an indefinitely closed circuit condition of the lamp through the battery 16, as is well understood in the art. It is to be noted that the lower end ot the slightly inclined downwardly projecting circuit-controlling spring lever 31 is disposed inwardly from and in. spaced relation to 'the adjacent surface of the spring-contact strip 33, so

that this tree movable end of the circuitcontrolling spring lever 31 occupies a position intermediate between and out of contact with both the metallic contact-strip 33 and the short upright batteryteminal 17.

llO-O isa The comparatively large size and inwardly projecting arrangement or location of the reflector 8 necessitates the provision of considerable room or space above the battery 16 between the upper' end of the battery and the top wall of the battery-containing casing box l, and the circuit-com pletiug lever formed by the angularly movable flexible downvvardly projecting contact-spring 3l serves among its other important functions, to bridge the gap between the inturned end 35 of the usual springcontact strip 33 and the usual short upright battery terminal 17, as will be readily understood from an inspection of the drawings, particularly Fig. il; thereof. However, it is to be. noted in this connection that the downwardly projecting spring circuit-con trolling lever 3l has other important functions and advantages now to be noted. It should be noted 'that by reason of the employment of this intern'iediately located circuit-completing member 3l, that in the open circuit condition of the device as shown in the drawings, there occur two breaks in the circuit, or that is to say thelamp circuit is opened at two places between the free inturned end 35 of the usual circuit-controlling contact-strip and the usual short upright battery terminal 17, one of these breaks or places where the circuit is opened being between the end of the contact-strip and the downwardly projecting circuit-con trolling spring lever 3l, and the other break or place of open circuit occurring between the lower free end of the circuit-controlling spring lever 3l and the battery terminal 17. This breaking or opening of the lamp circuit at two places or points provides an additional measure of security against an accidental close-d circuit condition, which might possibly result through some disarrangement of the parts, it being very improbable that any damage by reason of the bending or other disarrai'igement of the circuit-controlling members could occur which would concurrently accidentally close the circuit at both of these places. Furthermore, in this connection it is to be noted that the resilient flexible circuit-controllii'zg strip or spring lever 3l acts as a lever of the third class in its circuit-closin g operation, and that the inward movement of the free int'urned end 35 of the movable contact-strip 33 imparts an increased or multiplied movement to the lower free end of the flexible circuit-controlling spring lever 31, thereby rendering it possible to provide for a large circuit-controlling movement and a correspondingly wide gap or space between Vthe contact terminals in the open circuit condition, particularly between the movable free end of the downwardly projecting flexible contactspring or lever 3l and the upstanding short accidental or unintentional closure of the circuit is further lessened.

Supporting means or carrying means for the device, now to be described, are provided and involve features of novelty, particularly as combined with other features of my invention. A small bail 38 is pivoted to the top of the casing box l near the front thereof, and is shown as having its outturned ends inserted into outwardly indented sockets 39 on the top of the casing part l. rlhe bail 38 among its other functions or uses has the usual one, in that it provides for carrying the device as a lantern, with a finger or lingers through the bail. The bail 38 is adapted to fold rearward over or across the upper end of the door 2 in the closed position of the latter', as appears in Figs. l, 2, 3, 5 and 6 0f the drawings.

The side arms of the bail 38, which are shown as parallel to each other, are rather sharply bent at a point adjacent to the connecting cross-bar or handle-bar of the bail, so that in the folded condition of the bail this connecting handle-bar thereof will be disposed slightly below the upper end of the casing box l and doorQ and also slightly spaced in a backward direction from the outer surface of the upper end of the door 2, the side arms of the `bail being of the correct length for accon'iplishing this result, and also so that the side arms of the bail 38, at the downward bend therein, will engage and press inwardly upon the upper end of the door 2 at the back thereof, so that the bail 38 will lock the door 2 in the closed position, as clearly appears in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and (i of the drawings. A longitudinally or vertically arranged supporting strap 40 is also provided for supporting the device upon the clothing in a substantially usual manner with the exposed lamp at the front of the casing l directed away from the body of the person carrying the device, this supporting strap tO being carried by and shown as secured to the beck of the casing door 2. Near the upper free end of the door 2, the carrying strap 40 is secured thereto by means of the same two eyelets or tubular rivets 30 by which the supporting and insulating plates 28 and E29 of the spring bridge piece 26 are secured at the inner side of the door 2, as has been hereinbefore described. Near the lower or hinged end of the door 2 the carrying strap or supporting strap 40 passes freely through a transversely extending metal loop 41, the ends of which are lirmly secured to the door 2, being shown in thedrawings as held by eyelets forming rivets. Just above the two bridge-supporting and strap-securing rivets or eyelets 30. the strap 4:0 passes through the folded bail 38, so that this strap 40 acts as a guard to hold the bail 38 in its locking position relatively to the deer 27,fe11 ,Securely locking. .the hinged door 2 of the casing box 1 in its closed and circuit-completing condition,`as clearly appears in the drawings, particularly in Figs. 2, 3, and 6 thereof.

For carrying the device, the supporting strap 40 `is adapted to be attached tothe clothing of a person in two different ways. Adjacent to its free ends vthe strap 40 is provided with a two-part snap fastener, shown as of the glove fastener type, and having a stud part 42 shown as secured to the upper end of the strap 40, and having a socket part 43 fixed upon the other or lower end of this strap. The upper end of the strap 40, carrying the stud member 42 of the snap fastener, is adapted to be folded downward from the bail 3S, and similarly the lower end of the strap 40 carrying the socket member 43 of the snap fastener` is adapted to be folded upward `from the loop 41, for bringing the two partsv 42 and 43 ofthe snap fastener into engagement, this condition being` most clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 ofthedrawing. When the two snap fastener partsf42 and 43 are thus engaged, the strap 40 forms a loop between the bail 3S at the top and the metal loop 4l at the bottom, and the usual belt of a person is adapted to pass through this loop formed by the strap 40, for supporting the device upon the person.. In the construction illustrated in the drawings, thedistance between the loop formed by the folded rbail 3S and the metal lower loop 41 is made such that the closed loop formed by the supporting strap 40 is of the correct length or vdirncnsion for snugly accommodating the usual infantrybelt of a United States solcher, and in view vof the factl that the belts worn in other branches of the military service are of narrower width, any one of these belts also will be equally well accommodated.y as will also the usual belts worn by private citizens.

The supporting strap 40 also is provided adjacent to its ends, but inwardly from the snap fastener parts 42 and 48, with similar upper and lower button-holes 44 and 45, respectively. By disengaging the snap fastener parts 42 and 43, the strap 40, still passing through the folded bail 38, locking the door 2 in the closed position, may be straightened out and the button-holes 44 and 45 may then be buttoned over or engaged with corresponding buttons upon a garment. In the device illustratedfin the drawings,

`these button-11010544 and 45, in the straightened out condition of the strap 40, are spaced apart the correct distance for engaging with two adjacent buttons of a .soldiers coat. These button-holes, however, may be similarly engaged with the buttons on any Ygarment regardless of whether or not such buttons happen to be spaced apart precisely or ,exactly the ksame distance as are the button-holes 44 and 45, as will be readily understood by reason ofthe flexible character, both of the strap 40 and of material of the garment. In cases where it is `desired to engage these button-holes with -ened out as hereinbefore described, and in such case the device will be likewise securely supported upon ythe garment of the wearer. j'

n Although the self-containedportable electric light or flashlight of my invention illustrated-in the accompanyingl drawings and ,above particularly, described, is more particularly intended and adapted for the use of soldiers, yet it is to be understood that it is an. all-purpose device, having features and advantages adapting it also for general usage, and that the features of my invention hereinbefore described impart to the device certain advantages `not heretofore obtained and adapt the device to new uses not'heretofore provided for in prior constructions. Y f

In addition to the uses hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be noted that the fiat bottom ofthe casing box l permits the device to be stood upon its lower end and thus used as a reading lamp or forother purposes in a similar manner to an ordinary lantern or lamp. Also the device may be suspended or hung up on any convenient hook, nail or `other projection by means Vof the bail 38.

T he entire device is shapely and compact and may be conveniently packed in a soldiers kit to form an important item therein, or in any traveling bag, suitcase or other receptacle, and also, if desired, may be readily slipped into a pocket of a garment..

lt is obvious that various modifications may be made in the construction shown in the drawings and above particularly described within the principle and scope of invention.

I claim:

1. A portable electriclight having in combination, aV fiat battery-containing casing open at the back, a lamp socketfixedly carried by the casing atthe front and at the upper margin thereof and arranged to eX- pose the lamp bulb at the outside of the flat front side of the casing, an openableclosure for thebaclr of the casing, and a circuit-completing bridge carried by the closure and adapted to complete the circuit `'from the central terminal of the lamp to one of the terminals of the battery when said closure is in the closed condition.

2. A portable electric light having, in combination, a flat battery-containing casing open at the back, a lamp socket lixedly carried by the casing at the front and upper margin thereof and arranged to expose' the lamp bulb at the outside of the flat front sideV of the casing, a circuit-completing member carried by the casing at the inside thereof and forming an electrically conductive extension of one of the battery terminals, an openable closure for the back of the casing, and a circuit-completing bridge carried thereby and adapted electrically to connect said circuit-completing member and the central terminal of the lamp in the closed condition of said closure.

Y 3. A portable electric light comprising a flat battery-containing casing open at the back, a lamp socket tixedly carried by the casing at the frontand upper margin thereof and arranged to expose the lamp bulb at the outside of the flat front side of the casing, a circuit-completing member -carried by the casing at- 'the inside thereof and forming an extension of one of the terminals of the battery, a hinged ,door for closing the back of the casing, a circuit-completing bridge carried by the door and adapted electrically to connect the central terminal of the lamp with said circuit-completing member carried by the casing in the closed condition of the door, and circuitcompleting means for connecting the Vother terminal of the lamp with the remaining terminal of the battery, such means including a manually operable circuit-controller on the casing.

4. The invention claimed in claim 3 in which said circuit-controller comprises a spring metal strip forming a contact spring secured at one of its ends to the casing and projecting in an opposite direction to the battery terminal so that its other end is in proximity to 'and overlaps the battery terminal in spaced relation thereto, and a manually operable device movably supported by the casing and adapted when operated to engage and press upon said spring contact strip at an intermediate point thereof for thereby moving its free end into circuit-completing contact with the battery terminal.

5. The invention claimed in claim 3,V in combination with a bail pivoted to one end of the casing and adapted to fold backward over the end of the closed door, and a supporting strap carried by the outside of the door and adapted to pass through the folded bail for thereby locking the door in the closed position.

6. The invention claimed in claim 45, in which the door is hinged at its lower end, in combination with a bail pivoted to the top of the casing and adapted to fold backward over the upper end of the closed door, and a supporting strap carried by and sccured to the outside of the door and adapted to pass through the folded bail for thereby locking the door in the closedV position.

7. A portable electric light comprising a Hat metallic battery containing casing open at the back, a metallic lamp socket fixedly carried by the casing at the front and upper margin thereof and arranged to expose the lamp bulb at the outside of the front of the flat casing, a circuit-completing sheet metal plate secured to the top of the inside of the casing and insulated therefrom and adapted Vto be engaged by one of the terminals of the battery, a metallic door forming a closure for the back of the casing and hinged at the bottom` to open backward and downward and provided at the top with a latch engageable with the casing` the central terminal of the lamp being eXposed at the inside of the casing Vadjcent to but spaced from the door and the said circuit-completing kplate having a part in proximity to but spaced from the door, a metallic spring strip forming a bridge secured at an intermediate point thereof to the inside of the door and insulated therefrom and having inwardly olset spring ends one of which is engageable with the central terminal of the lamp and the other of which is engageable with the said metallic contact plate when the door is in the closed condition, a bail pivoted to the top of the casing and adapted to fold rearward over the upper end of the closedv door, a supporting strap secured to the back of the door and adapted to pass through the folded bail for locking the door in' the closed andV latched condition, a lnetallic spring strip secured at its upper end to the inside of the top of the casing and projecting downward into proximity with the other terminal of the battery, and a manually operable' circuit-controlling member movably carried by the casing and adapted to be operated to press against the downwardly projecting spring strip at an intermediate point thereof for shifting the free lower end of said spring strip into Contact with the other terminal of the battery, whereby the circuit of the lamp through the battery will be completed.

S; The invention claimed in claim 7 in which the downwardly projecting spring contact strip is out of Contact with and insulated from the metallic casing and is adapted to be electrically connected with the casing by the manually operable circuit-controlling member.

9.V A. portable electric light having, in combination, a casing for a battery having a projecting contact terminal. an automatica lly-returning movement-multiplying metal lever secured at one of its ends to the casing and having a free end part projecting in a direction substantially opposite to and overlapping the .battery terminal in spaced relationthereto, and a manually operable circuit-controlling member movably carried by the casing and adapted to be operated to press against said lever for shifting thefree end part of said lever into Contact with the adjacent terminal of the battery.

l0. A portable electricl light having, in combination, a metallic casing adapted to contain a battery `having a projecting contact terminal, a flexible springmetal lever fi 1inly secured at one of its ends-to the casing and Vinsulated therefrom and having a free end part projecting in a direction substantially opposite to and overlapping the battery terminal in spaced relation thereto, and a manually operable circuit-controlling member in electrical connection with and movably carried by the casing in spaced relation to the flexible spring lever at a mel dian point Jthereof and adapted to be pressed against and into electrical connection with said median point of the spring lever for shifting the free end part of the spring lever into electrical connection With the adjacent terminal of the battery.

1l. A portable electric light having, in combination, a flat battery-containing` casing open at the back, a lamp socket lixedly carried by the casing at the front and margin thereof and arranged to expose the lamp bulb at the outside of the flat front side of the casing, an openable closure for the back of the casing, and a circuit-completing bridge carried by the closure and adapted to complete the circuit from the central terminal of the lamp to one of the terminals of the battery in the closed condition of said closure.

l2. A portable electric light having, in combination, a flat metallic battery-containing casing open at the back, a lamp socket carried by the casing at the front and margin thereof and arranged to expose the lamp bulb at the outside of the flat front side of the casing, an openable metallic closure for the back of the easing, inner and outer superposed insulating plates at the inside of said metallic closure, a supporting strap at the outside of said metallic closure, fastening devices passing through the superposed insulating plates and through said metallic closure and'through the supporting strap for securing the insulating plates and the supporting strap to said metallic closure, a metallic bridge carried by the inner insulating plate at the inner side thereof for completing the circuit from the central terminal of the lamp to one of the terminals of the battery in the closed condition of said metallic closure, and a metallic fastening device passing through the bridge and through the inner insulating plate and insulated from said metallic closure'by the outer insulating plate for supporting the `bridge on said metallic closure and insulating 1t therefrom.

upper end of 'the door, and a supporting strap at the outside of the door adapted to pass through the folded bail for locking the deer in the closed position. Y

le. The invention claimed in claim 12 in which the metallic closure is a door hinged at its lower end, in combination with a bail pivoted to the top of the casing to fold backward over the upper' end of the door and through which the supporting strap is adapted to pass for locking the door in the closed position.

15. A portable electric light having, in combination, a flat battery-containing casing open at the back, a hinged door for the back of the casing, a bail pivoted to the top of the easing to fold backward over the upper end of the door, and a supporting strap at the outside of the door adapted to pass throughy the folded bail for locking the door in the closed position.

16. A portable electric light having, in combination, a easing divided into openable parts, a supporting strap at the outside of one of the casing parts, and means carried by the other casing part and engaged by the strap for holding the casing in the closed condition.

17. A portable electric light having, in combination, a metallic casing adapted to contain a battery having projecting contact terminals, superposed inner and outer insulating plates at the inside of the top of the metallic casing and secured thereto, a circuit-completing metal plate at the inside of the innei` insulating plate and supported thereby in position to be engaged by and forml an electrical extension of one of the projecting terminals of the battery, a metallic fastening device passing through said circuit-completii'ig plate and through the inner insulating plate and insulated ,from the metallic casing top by the outer insulating plate, a spring ietal lever also at the inside of the inner insulating plate and supportedv thereby and having a free end part projecting in a direction substantially opposite to and overlapping the other projecting battery terminal in spaced relation thereto and also in spaced relation to the metallic easing` a metallic fastening device passing through said lever and through the inner insulating`r plate and insulated from the metallic casing top by the outer insulating plate, and a manually operable circuit-controlling member in electrical connection With and movably carried by the casing in spaced relation to the spring lever and adapted to be pressed against the spring lever for forming an electrical connection therewith and for Shifting the free end part of the spring lever into electrical connection With the adjacent terminal of the battery.

18. A portable electric light having, in combination, a battery-containing casing .open at one side, a hinged door for the ca'sing, and a bail pivoted on the casing and in its folded position engageable with the door for locking the door in the closed position,

19. A portable electric light having, in combination, a flat battery-containing casing open at the back, a door hinged at its lower end for closing the back of the casing, and a bail pivoted to the top of the casing and having a part engageable at the back of the upper end of the door in the folded position ol the bail for locking the door in the closed position.

In testimony whereof I have afxed my signature.

BERNARD BENEDICT.

Copies o! this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing lthe Commissioner o! Patents. Washington, D. C. 

